Looking out at the new year, it seems that 2016 will have a lot of changes.
Some things never change and some things change at the speed of light. The trucking industry is no different and 2016 trucking trends will show this. The driver-shortage will keep capacity tight while motor carriers will try to attract and retain seasoned and safety-minded professional truck drivers. These 6 things are what will drive 2016 trucking trends. (more…)
Keep yourself safe by having a fully-stocked emergency kit in your truck.
Whether you are new to the trucking industry or are a seasoned veteran, you should always keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your truck. If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, an emergency kit can help you to diffuse the situation and get you back onto the road faster. Here’s a basic list of what supplies you should make sure to have before setting out on the road. (more…)
It probably won’t surprise you to know that studies have shown that motor vehicle drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a “safety critical” accident than those who don’t. In addition, those dialing a phone number were six times as likely to be in an accident. Given that, it certainly won’t surprise you to know that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations prohibit texting and hand-held mobile phone use while operating a commercial motor vehicle involved with interstate commerce. (more…)
Daimler introduces the medium-duty engine to the American market!
Three years ago, Daimler introduced the 5-liter DD5 and 8-liter DD8 medium-duty diesel engines to the European market. Two weeks ago, Daimler Trucks of North America announced that their Detroit Powertrain plant will begin manufacturing medium-duty diesel engines for the American market. Starting next year, proprietary diesels will be available in the Freightliner M2, with the first engines being manufactured in Daimler’s Mannheim, Germany plant. Full U.S. production is slated for the end of 2018, at which point Daimler’s medium-duty engines will be available in DTNA’s Western Star, Freightliner, Custom Chassis and Thomas Built Bus brands. This marks a shift from the current Cummins medium-duty engines. However, according to Martin Daum, president and CEO of DTNA, Cummins engines will still be an available option on the market. (more…)